Spur between bottom incisors

[GB123]

Hi,

Toby has got a problem with his bottom incisors - an almost tooth-like spur continually grows between his incisors. We’ve had it removed by a vet before, and sometimes it breaks off on its own but it always grows back. This has been going on for 12 to 18 months now and we don’t know what it is. I remove food and hay from his teeth daily to try and prevent any infection. His bottom left incisor has also started to rot - I’ve attached some pictures and as you can see this tooth isn’t as strong as the others and is quite jagged. He is eating fine and his behaviour is normal, although he has started to try and bite us more. He is nearly six years old now if that helps at all.

I’ll be very grateful for any suggestions

 

[Betsy]

@furryfriends (TEAS) runs a sanctuary for dental piggies so is probably best placed to advise you.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Hi,

Toby has got a problem with his bottom incisors - an almost tooth-like spur continually grows between his incisors. We’ve had it removed by a vet before, and sometimes it breaks off on its own but it always grows back. This has been going on for 12 to 18 months now and we don’t know what it is. I remove food and hay from his teeth daily to try and prevent any infection. His bottom left incisor has also started to rot - I’ve attached some pictures and as you can see this tooth isn’t as strong as the others and is quite jagged. He is eating fine and his behaviour is normal, although he has started to try and bite us more. He is nearly six years old now if that helps at all.

I’ll be very grateful for any suggestions View attachment 152607View attachment 152608View attachment 152609

Where abouts do you live, there are two very experience dental piggie vets at the Cat and Rabbit Clinic in Northampton. My Bill had a problem with one of his incisors after he broke it and it grew “fat”. Spurs like Toby’s and “fat” incisors like Bill’s are often caused when the tooth root gets damaged or by infection below the gum.
Simon Maddock at the C&R used to burr Bill’s incisors consciously and tidy up the front teeth, it took about 5-10 minutes. I’ll dig out some photos, they are both extremely good vets and a second opinion might help you decide if there is any other treatment that can be done for Toby X

 

[Bill & Ted]

Before and after photos of Simon performing a conscious dental burr on Bill’s dodgy front teeth. 5he “fat” tooth is in the bottom rightof thr image, it sadly effected how all the other incisor wore so Bill had a tidy up every 6 weeks. Easting was never a problem for him.

 

[GB123]

View attachment 152610
View attachment 152611
Before and after photos of Simon performing a conscious dental burr on Bill’s dodgy front teeth. 5he “fat” tooth is in the bottom rightof thr image, it sadly effected how all the other incisor wore so Bill had a tidy up every 6 weeks. Easting was never a problem for him.

Thank you for your reply and photos! We live in Leeds and I’m going back to university soon so it would be a bit tricky for us to take him to Northampton. I’ll hold on for a bit to see if anyone can recommend a vet a bit closer to us but if not then we’ll look into the Northampton vet. Thanks again

 

[KathT]

I would take him to Northampton even if you do live in Leeds - Simon and Kim are the best guinea pig vets in the UK as far as I’m concerned.

 

[Siikibam]

You’re not likely to find another vet who’s experienced in treating guinea pigs’ teeth. So I’d make an appointment to see Simon or Kim - they’re ‘popular’ so the sooner the better. Are you taking him with you to uni?